Background
Melvoin was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and began playing the piano at the age of three.
composer pianist jazz musician
Melvoin was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and began playing the piano at the age of three.
He studied English at Dartmouth College, graduating in 1959, but decided to pursue a career in music
He served as chairman and president of The Recording Academy and worked as a prolific studio musician, recording with Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, The Jackson 5, Natalie Cole, and The Beach Boys. After moving to Los Angeles in 1961, he played with Frank Rosolino, Leroy Vinnegar, Gerald Wilson, Paul Horn, Terry Gibbs, Joe Williams, Peggy Lee and others He released his debut album as a bandleader, Keys to Your Mind, in 1966 on Liberty Records.
Melvoin played in clubs in Los Angeles, and accompanied singer Bill Henderson and played with Herb Ellis and Plas Johnson on Concord Jazz releases.
Melvoin worked extensively as a studio musician, performing on the Beach Boys" Pet Sounds (1966), Frank Sinatra"s That"s Life (1966), the Jackson 5"s American Broadcasting Company (1970), John Lennon"s "Stand by Maine" (1975), Tom Waits" Nighthawks at the Diner (1975), and Barbra Streisand"s "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" (1976). He worked in the early 1970s as a music director on The Partridge Family recordings, often playing keyboard, and also began composing for film and television including contributing scores to Fame and MacGyver.
Melvoin died in Burbank, California on February 22, 2012 of cancer, at age 74.